Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve is thrilled to announce that we were selected by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the “best things to do in Phuket” in a recent 2024 article! Condé Nast Traveler is one of the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voices in all things travel, and as a sanctuary committed to ethical tourism, we are incredibly proud to be recognized for our efforts.
Since we started Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve in 2019, we have grown into one of the leading sanctuaries in not only Phuket but Thailand. With our range of Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities, we are helping turn the tide towards ethical elephant tourism.
Below, we share what Condé Nast Traveler had to say about PENR and more about what makes us one of the top ethical elephant sanctuaries. Should you have any questions for our team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What Condé Nast Traveler Had to Say About PENR
In their recent 2024 article about the best things to do in Phuket, Condé Nast Traveler sang their praises for PENR:
“Elsewhere, the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve makes for another essential outing. A place of refuge, it maintains the well-being of its rescued residents: Bow, Thonglor and Lotus. Don’t let the horror stories around elephant sanctuaries across Thailand deter you — this one’s accredited and ethically operated, which means riding is not on the roster. Instead, you’ll learn about the plight of captive elephants before feeding the three gentle giants and accompanying them on a muddy, albeit leisurely, stroll through the forest.”
We are so pleased that Condé Nast Traveler is not only emphasizing ethical elephant tourism but that we were selected as the prime choice in Phuket! You can read the full article for even more about Phuket here: The best things to do in Phuket.
PENR is an Accredited Elephant Sanctuary
As mentioned by Condé Nast Traveler, PENR has received a number of accreditations and awards for our sustainability and ethical operations.
These include:
- Accreditation by SGS Thailand (passed with distinction with a score of 98%), ensuring the highest standards in animal welfare practices.
- Audited by Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES). We passed with distinction with an overall score of 86%.
- Member of WISE (Welfare Initiatives for Sustainability of Elephants) Network and strategic partner with World Animal Protection (Thailand).
- Winner of the APAC Insider Endangered Species Protection Champions 2023 with the prestigious award Elephant Sanctuary of the Year 2023. To learn more about this award, read our blog: PENR is Elephant Sanctuary of the Year 2023!
PENR Upholds the Highest Animal Welfare Standards
As an accredited sanctuary, PENR upholds the highest standards of animal welfare. Our commitment is to the well-being of our elephants above everything, ensuring we give them a healthy and happy life after years spent in captivity. We are currently home to four elephants: Lotus, Bow, Thonglor, and Nong Tang, our most recent arrival.
Countless elephants in Thailand are held in captivity to serve the tourism industry and are subjected to cruel treatment. They are removed from their lives in the wild, abused, and forced to be in unnatural contact with people and perform tricks.
At PENR, we are committed to the following:
- We do not allow visitors to ride, touch, bathe with, or hand-feed our elephants.
- Our elephant keepers do not use bullhooks or chains of any kind.
- Our elephants are allowed to roam freely through over 30 rai of forest and can interact with their fellow elephants.
- We provide expert veterinary care to our elephants and feed them a nutritious diet.
- Our elephants are provided with shelters with sand to sleep on, water, and food.
Through this, we ensure our elephants are able to lead as natural lives as possible. While they may never be able to return to the wild, at PENR they can live a life free of cruelty and exploitation.
Our Ethical Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities
Our Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities are designed to offer guests an immersive and educational experience with our elephants. During our tours, guests can observe the elephants behaving naturally and learn more about how we care for them. Whether you join us on our Short 90-Minute Elephant Adventure in Phuket or our longer Half-Day Elephant Adventure in Phuket, you’ll get to meet our resident elephants, walk with them in nature, and take beautiful photographs. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows people to gain a newfound respect and appreciation for these gentle giants.
If you have any more questions about how we operate our sanctuary ethically or about any of our tours, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can’t wait to show you one of the best things to do in Phuket!
